The Seeds of Racism

Prior to FDR, Black people voted almost entirely Republican. Now we see that more than 95 percent of Black voters support Democrats. While that is not a prescription for success in either direction by the Black electorate, maybe now we will come to our senses as well by understanding the power of the collective. But that's another article.

The nascent United States, what some called an "experiment," has evolved to another level of discovery, and some dislike the current results of that experiment. Had the experiment been conducted without an unbiased thumb on the scales of justice, without mistreatment and malice toward those who were darker in complexion, without religious prejudice, without suppression and oppression, but instead with the understanding of the Laws of the Harvest, the latest political outcome would not be about Black, White, Hispanic, and minorities. It would be about the best man or woman winning an election.

We have become so polarized by race, which was sown when this nation was established, that there are those among us who are actually fearful now that another race, long considered inferior and subordinate, has the power to determine the political landscape. Rather than the result of the elections being a simple majority rules scenario, it was interpreted by many as a minority rules sea change, which caused unfounded trepidation and uncertainty. That's simply the reaping that must occur from the sowing that took place previously.

The Democrat/Republican thing has gotten out of hand and has been used by some to further divide races and ethnic groups. Thus, we continue to sow seeds of discord and acrimony. What do you think we will continue to reap?

We cannot live in the past, but we can learn from it. In the beginning, this nation sowed arrogance, superiority, and hate. It is now reaping fear, guilt, and division. Although we have made significant strides socially, educationally, politically, and economically, we must continue to change and, at the same time, embrace the new face of America.

Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation's most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be reached through his website, blackonomics.com.